Accessory for head rest in lying position

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an accessory ( 1 ) for supporting the head (T) of a recumbent individual (I), in particular while said individual is sleeping, said accessory being characterized in that it comprises a base ( 2 ) that is substantially rigid and that supports at least one first cushion ( 3 ) for resting the head in the supine position, and at least one second cushion ( 4, 5 ) for resting the head in the laterally recumbent position, said second cushion being positioned on a substantially rigid plate ( 8, 9 ) that is carried by a coupling arm ( 6, 7 ) extending from the base ( 2 ) along an axis that is perpendicular to the base and to the plate ( 8, 9 ), the plate being mounted on the arm ( 6, 7 ) in a manner suitable for being pivotable about the axis of the arm, which arm maintains a spacing (E, E′) between the plate ( 8, 9 ) and the base ( 2 ), making it possible for an arm (B) of the individual to pass between the base and the plate when the head (T) of the individual is placed on the second cushion ( 4, 5 ) carried by the plate ( 8, 9 ).

The present invention relates to an accessory for supporting the head ofan individual in a recumbent posture, in particular while the individualis sleeping. The accessory of the invention finds a preferredapplication in the field of comfort while sleeping, and of preventingand of easing certain pathologies related to positions being taken upthat are uncomfortable and/or traumatizing for certain portions of thespine or of the shoulders, in particular.

Initially, such pathologies are generally mild and localized, but ifthey are not treated, or in relatively elderly people, they can becomegenuinely traumatic, both during and after sleep.

By way of example, mention might be made of neck pain, e.g. wryneck, orindeed contusion of muscle or of cartilage in the shoulder, or evensleep apnea, snoring, or lumbar trouble.

Numerous accessories are already known from the state of the art foraddressing and treating such problems. In particular, a large number ofpillows are known, of various shapes, structures, and materials, someeven being referred to as “ergonomic” or as “shape-memory” pillows. Byway of example, mention might be made, in particular, of pillows asdescribed in Documents WO-0238013 Al, FR 2 825 602, or indeed EP 0 373520.

Unfortunately, those various pillows are ineffective in relieving jointpain, in particular of the cervical vertebrae and of the shoulder,because they do not adapt sufficiently or correctly to match themorphologies of the individuals who use them in all of the positionstaken up during sleep, in particular in the two main sleeping positionsconstituted by the supine position and the laterally recumbent position,sometimes curled up in the “fetal” position. In particular, existingpillows do not make it possible to support the head appropriately in anon-the-side sleeping position because their heights are ofteninsufficient, thereby causing a misalignment or angulation at thecervical vertebrae relative to the remainder of the spine. For thisreason, it is frequent for sleeping individuals to pass one arm undertheir pillow in order to raise it to an appropriate height, therebygenerally giving rise to uncomfortable positions, and to shoulder paindue to crushing and contortion of those joints during sleeping.

In view of the drawbacks of the prior art head-supporting devices andaccessories, a first object of the invention is to propose an accessoryfor resting and supporting the head of an individual in a recumbentposition, in particular while the individual is sleeping, that procuresergonomic support for the head and for the individual, regardless of therecumbent sleeping position, in particular regardless of whether theindividual is sleeping on his or her back or on his or her side.

Another object of the invention is to procure an accessory that makes itpossible to hold the head in a satisfactory sleeping position,regardless of the successive changes of position of the individual whilehe or she is sleeping.

Another object of the invention is also to procure an accessory that notonly offers excellent comfort and holds the head ergonomically duringsleep, but also makes it possible to reduce the phenomena of theshoulder being crushed in the laterally recumbent position and to reducethe pain related thereto.

Another object of the invention is to provide an accessory for holdingthe head that can adapt to match the morphologies of the individuals whouse it, while also preserving identical holding and ergonomic qualities.

To achieve these various objects, the invention provides an accessoryfor supporting the head of a recumbent individual, in particular whilesaid individual is sleeping, said accessory being characterized in thatit comprises a base that is substantially rigid and that supports atleast one first cushion for resting the head in the supine position. Theaccessory further comprises at least one second cushion for resting thehead in the laterally recumbent position, said second cushion beingpositioned on a substantially rigid plate that is carried by a couplingarm extending from the base along an axis that is perpendicular to thebase and to the plate. Advantageously, the plate of the second cushionis mounted on the arm in a manner suitable for being pivotable about theaxis of the arm, which arm maintains a spacing E between the plate andthe base, making it possible for an arm of the individual to passbetween the base and the plate when the head of the individual is placedon the second cushion carried by the plate.

The head-supporting accessory of the invention thus procures not only afirst cushion that is of small thickness, and thus that is suitable forreceiving the head and for sleep in the supine position without painfulstressing of the cervical vertebrae, but also a side cushion that israised and that is angularly positionable relative to the first cushion.Said second cushion procures comfortable and ergonomic support for thehead in the laterally recumbent position, the fact that the secondcushion is raised making it possible both to compensate for the heightof the shoulder so as to maintain the head in alignment with the spinalcolumn, but also, if the user so desires, for the user to pass an armunder the second cushion so as to find a comfortable sleeping positionwithout having the head pressing on the shoulder.

According to a first characteristic of the invention, the accessory isparticularly advantageous when it further comprises adjustment means foradjusting the spacing E between the plate for supporting the secondcushion and the base of the accessory. Said adjustment means make itpossible, in particular, to adjust the spacing between the plate and thebase over the range 5 centimeters (cm) to 25 cm, and preferably over therange 5 cm to 15 cm, so as to adjust the position of the second cushionrelative to the first cushion, so that said second cushion can supportthe head properly in alignment with the remainder of the spinal columnwhen the individual using the accessory while sleeping is in a laterallyrecumbent position, his or her shoulder giving rise to an offset betweenthe axis of the spinal column of the individual and the plane in whichthe body of the individual is resting on the bed, which offset is thencompensated by adjusting the height of the second cushion on its plate.

According to another preferred characteristic of the invention, thecoupling arm of the plate supporting the second cushion is secured to orintegral with the base, and is disposed tangentially to one side of afirst cushion resting on the base.

Also according to the invention, the adjustment means for adjusting thespacing E between the base and the plate carrying the second cushionare, preferably, incorporated in the coupling arm for coupling the plateto the base, thereby making it possible to improve the simplicity ofconstruction, the complexity, and the weight of the accessory of theinvention.

More particularly, in a preferred embodiment, the adjustment means foradjusting the spacing E between the base and the plate for supportingthe second cushion comprise screw means that are coaxial with thecoupling arm for coupling the plate to the base, the screw meanssimultaneously constituting means for pivoting the plate relative to thefirst cushion and to the base about the axis of the coupling arm forcoupling the plate to the base.

Such screw means thus make it possible, simply and directly in thecoupling arm between the base and the plate for supporting the secondcushion, to achieve two of the essential functions of the accessory ofthe invention, namely adjusting the height of the second cushion forsupporting the head in the laterally recumbent position relative to thefirst cushion positioned on the base, and procuring a space between thebase and the second cushion so as to enable an arm to pass through,while also enabling the second cushion to be angularly positionablerelative to the base and to the first cushion, in such a manner as toenable the head and the cervical vertebrae to be aligned with theremainder of the spinal column, regardless of the laterally recumbentposition of the individual using the accessory.

In a variant embodiment, the coupling arm for coupling the plate to thebase may also be a telescopic arm, the adjustment means for adjustingthe spacing E between the base and the plate then comprisingsnap-fastening or cottering means suitable for co-operating withorifices formed in the telescopic portions of the coupling arm. In whichcase, it is also necessary to provide means for enabling the plate tomove in rotation relative to the base in order to allow the secondcushion to be suitably angularly positioned relative to the firstcushion for excellent comfort of the individual using the accessory ofthe invention.

In yet another variant embodiment, the adjustment means for adjustingthe spacing E may also comprise at least one actuator that is preferablya pneumatic or an electric actuator and that co-operates with suitablecontrol and drive means, such as, for example, a manual remote controlmaking it possible to act reversibly on the actuator.

According to another preferred characteristic of the invention, thehead-supporting accessory has two cushions positioned symmetrically oneither side of the first cushion, and positioned on respective ones oftwo plates themselves carried above the base by respective ones of twocoupling arms extending perpendicularly to the base and to the plates,each coupling arm holding the respective plate at a spacing relative tothe base, each of the two plates also being mounted on its respectivecoupling arm in a manner suitable for being pivotable about the axis ofsaid coupling arm relative to the first cushion and to the base.

The accessory of the invention then has a three-part structure havingthree cushions, a central first cushion laid flat on the base, for thepurpose of a supporting the head of an individual lying on the back, andtwo side cushions that are raised on respective plates, each plate beingspaced apart from the base and from the first cushion, and being mountedto pivot relative to the base and to the first cushion, the two sidecushions being dedicated to supporting the head of an individual whensaid individual is placed in the laterally recumbent position,optionally in the fetal position, the two side cushions enabling thehead and the cervical vertebrae to be aligned with the remainder of thespine, while also enabling an arm to pass between the base and one ofthe side pillows.

In this three-part embodiment of the accessory of the invention, saidaccessory further comprises adjustment means for adjusting the spacingbetween the base and each of the plates for supporting the two sidecushions, in particular adjustment means as defined above, of the screwtype or of some other type.

Also advantageously, it is also desirable for those portions of the baseand of the plates that carry cushions for supporting the head to beprovided with perforations suitable for enabling the cushions to sinkpartially into the base and/or into the plate(s), when the head of anindividual is pressing on the cushion in question, thereby markedlyimproving the flexibility and the comfort of the support procured by thecushions.

Other characteristics and advantages of the accessory of the inventionappear from the following detailed description of a preferred embodimentof the accessory of the invention, given with reference to theaccompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an accessoryof the invention for supporting the head of an individual in a recumbentposition;

FIG. 2 is a view that is analogous to the FIG. 1 view and that is anexploded view showing the accessory of the present invention forsupporting the head of an individual in a recumbent position;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the accessory of FIGS. 1 and 2 in an in-useconfiguration, showing the head of an individual supported on theaccessory and on the cushions thereof in the various recumbent posturesleeping positions of the individual, lying on the back or on the side;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the accessory of FIGS. 1 and 2, showing thepossibility for angular mobility of the side cushions of the accessoryof the invention relative to the central cushion for supporting the headin the supine position;

FIG. 5 shows a variant embodiment of the accessory of the inventionincluding dividers-type coupling arms for the side cushion plates;

FIG. 6 shows a variant embodiment of the accessory of the inventionincluding linkage-type coupling arms for the side cushion plates;

FIG. 7 shows a variant embodiment of the accessory of the inventionincluding coupling arms mounted in slideways for the side cushionplates;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the position for resting the headof an individual in the supine position on the support accessory of thepresent invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the in-use position of theaccessory as used for supporting the head of a sleeping individual in alaterally recumbent position;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a recumbent individual in the fetal positionwith the head resting on a side cushion of the accessory of theinvention; and

FIG. 11 is a side view of a recumbent individual in the fetal positionwith the head resting on a side cushion of the accessory of theinvention.

A head-supporting accessory of the present invention is shown in apreferred embodiment in FIGS. 1 and 2 respectively as assembled, and inan exploded view.

The accessory 1 constitutes a kind of three-body cushion comprising, ona stabilization base 2, a central first cushion 3 resting on a centralportion 2 ₁ of the base 2 and flanked symmetrically by two side cushions4, 5, each of which is raised relative to the central cushion 3 by meansof a respective coupling arm 6, 7 that, via its bottom end, is securedto or integral with a respective end portion 2 ₂ of the stabilizationbase of the accessory 1, and, via its top end, is secured to or integralwith a respective plate 8, 9 for supporting a respective one of the sidecushions 4, 5 and to which said side cushion 4, 5 is fastened by anysuitable means.

The base 2, the coupling arms 6, 7, and the support plates 8, 9 of theside cushions are preferably made of a material presenting sufficientrigidity not to bend, twist, or indeed break under the repeated forcesapplied by the head of an individual resting against one of the cushions3, 4, 5 of the accessory 1 while the individual is sleeping. By way ofexample, the base 2, the coupling arms 6, 7, and the plates 8, 9 of theaccessory 1 may be made of a metal material, e.g. steel, or preferablyaluminum or indeed, in preferred manner, of a thermoplastic materialsuch as, for example, polypropylene, high-density polyethylene, orindeed acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

The central cushion 3 and the right and left side cushions 4 and 5 arepreferably of thickness e that is relatively small in comparison toconventional cushions and pillows as known in the state of the art. Thisthickness e advantageously lies in the range 5 cm to 10 cm at themaximum, the component material of the cushions preferably being asynthetic material foam whose density and flexibility properties, inparticular, may be variable and chosen as a function of the preferencesof the various individuals who use the accessory. However, the foam usedand the thickness thereof should be chosen to be sufficient to avoid theindividual perceiving any contact with the base 2 or with the sideplates 8, 9 through the cushions when the individual rests his or herhead on one of the cushions 3, 4, 5 of the accessory 1.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the base 2 and the plates 8, 9 for supportingthe side cushions 4, 5 are of substantially plane and rectangular shape,and of small thickness compared with the thickness of the cushions 3, 4,5 of the accessory 1. Such a plane rectangular shape for the base 2 isparticularly advantageous, although not essential, for procuring goodstability for the accessory 1 while in use, such use taking place in themajority of cases on a mattress that, by definition, presents a certainamount of flexibility. Thus, in order to present appropriate stabilityon all types of mattress, the base 2 of the accessory 1 of the inventionin the preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying figures preferablyhas a length L measured between the opposite ends of the two endportions 2 ₂ of the base 2 that lies in the range 500 millimeters (mm)to 900 mm, and a width k measured in a direction perpendicular to thelength L of the base that preferably lies in the range 140 mm to 220 mm.

Such a length L of the base 2 makes it possible both to obtain anaccessory having optimum stability while in use for supporting the headof a recumbent individual, and also to make the accessory easy to placeand adaptable to accommodate any type of “standard” single or doublemattress, the widths of such “standard” mattresses conventionally lyingin the range 70 cm to 200 cm.

In addition, it should be noted that, in the invention, the width k ofthe base 2 is not necessarily constant everywhere along the base. Saidwidth k may, in particular, differ between the central portion 2 ₁ ofthe base 2 on which the central cushion 3 rests and the end portions 2 ₂that support the right and left side cushions 4 and 5 via the couplingarms 6, 7 and via the plates 8, 9. However, even if the width of the endportions 2 ₂ and the width of the central portion 2 ₁ of the base 2differ depending on the chosen implementation of said base, it ispreferable, for each of the portions 2 ₁, 2 ₂ of the base 2 to complywith a width l lying in the above-defined range of 140 mm to 200 mm.

In accordance with a first essential characteristic of the accessory ofthe invention, the coupling arms 6, 7 support the plates 8, 9 at somedistance above the base 2, so that the two right and left side cushions4, 5 are situated higher than the central cushion 3 of the accessory 1in a manner such that, when an individual is lying on one side, asshown, for example, in FIG. 3 in ghost lines and in FIG. 9 inuninterrupted lines, the higher situations of the side cushionscompensate for the height of the shoulder so as to support the head T ata height sufficient to maintain the cervical vertebrae of the spine inalignment with the remainder of the spinal column of the individual I.Said coupling arms 6, 7 thus holding the first plate 8 on which theright side cushion 4 rests at a spacing E, and holding the second plate9 supporting the left side cushion 5 at a spacing E′ relative to thebase 2 of the accessory 1, the spacing values E, E′ preferably lying inthe range 5 cm to 25 cm, and more preferably lying in the range 5 cm to15 cm.

In particularly advantageous manner and in accordance with a preferredcharacteristic of the invention, the coupling arms 6, 7 have adjustmentmeans for adjusting the heights E, E′ of the plate 8 for supporting theright side cushion and of the plate 9 for supporting the left sidecushion, thereby enabling the two side cushions 4, 5 dedicated tosupporting the head T of an individual lying on one side to be movedvertically as indicated, for example, by the double-headed arrow Fl inFIG. 3.

As shown in particular in FIGS. 3, 10, and 11, said adjustment meansmake it possible to adjust the spacing E, E′ so that, when a user Ilying in a recumbent posture on one side with the head T pressed againstthe right or the left one of the side cushions 4, 5 of the accessory 1,the head T of said user is properly aligned on the axis Dc of his or herspinal column without there being any misalignment in the neck of theindividual that might cause neck pain.

Such adjustment means are adapted to adjust the spacing E, E′appropriately to leave a space between the base 2 and each of the sidecushions 4, 5, which empty space makes it possible, as shown in FIG. 6,for an arm B of the individual to pass under the side cushion 4, 5 onwhich the individual is resting his or her head.

In addition, in accordance with another essential characteristic of theinvention, and as shown in FIG. 4, the plates 8, 9 for supporting theright and left side cushions 4, 5 of the accessory 1 are mounted ontheir respective coupling arms 6, 7 suitably for enabling them to pivotabout the respective longitudinal axes of said arms, as indicated by thedouble-headed arrows F2 and F3 in FIG. 4, in a manner such as to enablethe side cushions to be angularly positioned relative to the base 2 ofthe accessory 1, and also relative to the central cushion 3. The sidecushions should be allowed to be angularly positioned by pivoting inthis way through an angular sector from 0° and ±45° relative to thenormal position of the side cushions. This advantageously makes itpossible for a user individual to choose the optimum position forsupport by the side cushions 4, 5 of the user's head when the user islying on one side, regardless of the relative positioning of theremainder of the user's body relative to the accessory, and, inparticular, regardless of the contortions of the user's body, such as,for example, when the individual I is in a “fetal” position. Thus, thepossibility of angular positioning of the side cushions enables theindividual to present an area of his or her head being supported that issufficient to be able to maintain a comfortable position while he or sheis sleeping, even in the “fetal” position.

In a preferred embodiment, the adjustment means for adjusting thespacing E, E′ formed by the coupling arms 6, 7 between the base 2 andthe support plates 8, 9 of the side cushions 4, 5 are advantageouslyincorporated in the coupling arms and make it possible simultaneously toadjust the side cushions 4, 5 angularly in rotation relative to thelongitudinal axes of said coupling arms 6, 7.

To this end, the adjustment means are advantageously constituted byscrew means constituting, for example, a nut-and-bolt system comprising,for example, a tapped tubular sleeve 10, 11 secured to or integral withone of the end portions 2 ₂ of the base 2 and co-operating with athreaded rod 12, 13 that, via one of its ends, is secured to or integralwith one of the plates 8, 9 for supporting the side cushions 4, 5. Inthis configuration, it is then possible to screw the threaded rods 11,12 into the tubular sleeves 10, 11 or to unscrew said threaded rodstherefrom by turning the plates 8, 9 and the cushions that they supportrespectively clockwise and anticlockwise in order to adjust the spacingE, E′ between the base 2 and the plates 8, 9, and, simultaneously, inorder to adjust the angular positioning of the plates and thus of thecushions that they support in order to obtain support for the head Tthat is appropriate as a function of the recumbent position of anindividual I who is a user of the accessory 1.

It should be noted that, in the above-described embodiment, in which theadjustment means for adjusting the spacing E, E′ are constituted byscrew means 10, 11, 12, 13 that are secured either to the base 2 or tothe plates 8, 9, both the tapped tubular sleeves 10, 11 that are securedto or integral with the end portions 2 ₂ of the base 2, and also thethreaded rods 12, 13 that are secured to or integral with the plates 8,9 are mutually associated by any suitable means known to the personskilled in the art, and may, in particular, be formed integrally, e.g.by molding, or else be made up of individual parts that are assembledtogether, e.g. by welding, screw-fastening, or indeed interfittingengagement, and the embodiment shown in the exploded view of FIG. 2 isnot limiting on the various embodiments of the invention.

In addition, it is quite possible to consider using other means ofadjusting the spacing E, E′ between the base and the plates 8, 9, andother means for pivoting the plates and the side cushions about thelongitudinal axes of the coupling arms between the base 2 and the plates8, 9. By way of example, as means for adjusting the length of thecoupling arms 6, 7 and thus for adjusting the spacing E, E′, it ispossible, in particular, to use single-acting or double-actingmechanical or electrical actuators associated with suitable controlmeans, or indeed arms made up of short telescopic rods of length thatcan be set by cotter pins or pegs, e.g. inserted into orifices providedfor this purpose inside the various sections of the telescopic rodsmaking up the coupling arms.

In the same way, as means for pivoting the side cushions 4, 5 and theirplates about the axes of their respective coupling arms 6, 7, it is alsopossible to consider using any types of means for assembling the platesin rotation to their coupling arms, or indeed means for assembling thecoupling arms in rotation to the base 2, and in particular pivot-mountmeans optionally associated with means for guiding in rotation such asrolling or other bearings that are optionally lubricated.

In order to procure greater mobility for the side cushions 4, 5 relativeto the base 2 and to the central cushion 3, it is also possible toprovide other variants for mounting the plates 8, 9 for supporting saidside cushions 4, 5 onto their coupling arms 6, 7.

In a first variant, it is possible, in particular, to provide adividers-type coupling hinge, or indeed, if the variant has a pluralityof branches, to provide a linkage-type hinge, between the top end of thecoupling arm 6, 7 and the plates 8, 9, as shown respectively in FIGS. 5and 6.

It is possible, as shown in FIG. 7 and as a variant to or in addition tothe above-described constructions, to make provision to install thebases of the coupling arms 6, 7 of the plates 8, 9 in straight orcircular slideways formed in the end portions 2 ₂ of the base 2 so as toenable the coupling arm to be positioned appropriately as a function ofthe comfort of the user of the accessory 1 of the invention.

In accordance with another preferred characteristic of the invention, itis also possible to make provision for the central cushion and for theright and left side cushions 4, 5 to be mounted removably on the centralportion 2 ₁ of the base 2 of the accessory 1 of the invention, and onthe support plates 8, 9. This makes it possible, advantageously, toreplace each of the cushions 3, 4, 5 as a function of their state ofwear, or indeed as a function of their damping flexibility properties,depending on the desires of the individuals who use the accessory of theinvention. For example, it is possible to make provision to supplydifferent kits of cushions having different properties at the time ofsale or independently of the sale of the accessory of the invention,each user choosing a particular type of cushion as a function of what heor she prefers for his or her own comfort.

Although not shown in the accompanying figures, it is also possible andadvantageous to provide central recesses in the central portion 2 ₁ ofthe base for supporting the central cushion 3 and in the middles of thesupport plates 8, 9 for supporting the side cushions 4, 5, in order toimprove further the comfort properties of the accessory 1 of theinvention by enabling the cushions 3, 4, 5 to sink partially into thecentral portion of the base 2 ₁ and into the plates 8, 9 so as toprocure improved flexibility of support of the head for a userindividual, regardless of the recumbent position and of the restposition of his or head on the cushions of the accessory of theinvention.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show, more particularly, in detail, how the accessory ofthe invention for supporting the head 1 is used. FIG. 8 shows anindividual I lying on his or her back in a sleeping position. In thisposition, the head T of the individual should be supported and heldsubstantially flat in alignment with the back of the individual in orderto avoid excessive stress on the cervical vertebrae in the neck. That iswhy, in this position, the head T of the individual is then placed onthe central cushion 3 of the accessory 1 of the invention, which centralcushion 3 has a small thickness such that, once the head is resting onit, the individual I is not subjected to any force from the cushion 3 onthe head that tends to urge said head to pivot towards the chest, butrather said head is held flat with a normal curve of the cervical spinerelative to the remainder of the spinal column, thereby making itpossible to avoid both neck pain and sleep apnea and/or snoring in theindividual lying on his or her back in this way.

Conversely, if the individual prefers to lie on one side while sleeping,as shown in FIG. 9, said individual then rests his or her head on one ofthe raised side cushions 4, 5 carried by their plates 8, 9 with aspacing E, E′ relative to the base of the accessory 1 of the invention.As a function of the morphology of the individual I, said individualmay, before falling asleep, use the adjustment means to adjust thespacing E, E′ between the side cushions 4, 5 and the base, so that theposition of the individual is as comfortable as possible for sleeping,the spacing E, E′ generally corresponding to the width of the individualfrom the shoulder to the head. The individual I may also adjust theangular positioning of the side cushions 4, 5 as shown in FIG. 4 bypivoting the cushions about the longitudinal axes of the coupling shafts6, 7 of the plates for supporting the side cushions, in order to be ableto place his or her head exactly in alignment with the remainder of hisor her spinal column, while also lying on one side, optionally curled upin the “fetal” position. In addition, the space formed by the spacing E,E′ between the base 2 of the accessory of the invention and the sidecushions 4, 5 also makes it possible for the individual to pass his orher arm B under the side cushion on which he or she is resting his orher head (under the cushion 4 in FIG. 9), thereby enabling theindividual to lighten considerably the forces due to the weight of hisor her body on his or her shoulder, and thus to reduce considerably thepotential pain in his or her shoulder.

It should also be noted that, during the same sleeping phase, it ispossible for an individual I to go without difficulty from a supineposition, with the head T resting on the central cushion 3 of theaccessory 1, to a laterally recumbent position with the head resting onone of the side cushions 4, 5. Even if there is no material continuitybetween the central cushion 3 and the side cushions 4, 5, going from oneto the other is entirely natural when the individual I pivots from asupine position to a laterally recumbent position and vice versa by alever effect of the shoulder on which the individual presses in order togo from one position to another. This change of position is much easierthan with conventional pillows because of the relative rigidity of thevarious portions of the accessory 1 that constitute bearing surfaces forthe head, against which surfaces the head can roll on going from asupine position to a lateral position and vice versa, whereas usually,the head tends to remain sunk into the pillow while only the body pivotsfrom one position to the other.

The accessory 1 of the present invention thus enables a user to obtainsupport for the head during sleep that offers performance and isergonomic regardless of the sleeping position, while also guaranteeingthat the head is held appropriately relative to the remainder of thespinal column of the user, and that any forces that the head and thebody apply against the shoulders and the arms in the laterally recumbentposition are lightened, thereby making it possible to reduce verysignificantly the pain and injuries due to uncomfortable sleepingpositions in the cervical vertebrae and in the shoulders, in particular.

1. An accessory (1) for supporting the head (T) of a recumbentindividual (I), in particular while said individual is sleeping, saidaccessory being characterized in that it comprises a base (2) that issubstantially rigid and that supports at least one first cushion (3) forresting the head in the supine position, and at least one second cushion(4, 5) for resting the head in the laterally recumbent position, saidsecond cushion being positioned on a substantially rigid plate (8, 9)that is carried by a coupling arm (6, 7) extending from the base (2)along an axis that is perpendicular to the base and to the plate (8, 9),the plate being mounted on the arm (6, 7) in a manner suitable for beingpivotable about the axis of the arm, which arm maintains a spacing (E,E′) between the plate (8, 9) and the base (2), making it possible for anarm (B) of the individual to pass between the base and the plate whenthe head (T) of the individual is placed on the second cushion (4, 5)carried by the plate (8, 9).
 2. An accessory according to claim 1,characterized in that it further comprises adjustment means foradjusting the spacing (E, E′) between the plate for supporting thesecond cushion and the base of the accessory.
 3. An accessory accordingto claim 1, characterized in that the spacing (E, E′) between the plate(8, 9) and the base (2) is adjustable over the range 5 cm to 25 cm, andpreferably over the range 5 cm to 15 cm.
 4. An accessory according toclaim 1, characterized in that the coupling arm (6, 7) for coupling theplate to the base is secured to or integral with the base, and isdisposed tangentially to one side of a first cushion (3) resting on thebase.
 5. An accessory according to claim 2, characterized in that theadjustment means for adjusting the spacing (E, E′) are incorporated inthe coupling arm (6, 7) for coupling the plate to the base.
 6. Anaccessory according to claim 2, characterized in that the adjustmentmeans for adjusting the spacing (E, E′) comprise screw means (10, 11,12, 13) that are coaxial with the coupling arm (6, 7) for coupling theplate to the base, the screw means simultaneously constituting means forpivoting the plate relative to the first cushion (3) and to the base (2)about the axis of the coupling arm for coupling the plate to the base.7. An accessory according to claim 2, characterized in that the couplingarm (6, 7) for coupling the plate (8, 9) to the base (2) is a telescopicarm and in that the adjustment means for adjusting the spacing (E, E′)between the base and the plate comprise snap-fastening or cotteringmeans suitable for co-operating with orifices formed in the telescopicportions of the coupling arm.
 8. An accessory according to claim 2,characterized in that the adjustment means comprise at least oneactuator that is preferably a pneumatic or an electric actuator and thatco-operates with suitable control and drive means.
 9. An accessoryaccording to claim 1, characterized in that it has two cushions (4, 5)positioned symmetrically on either side of the first cushion (3), andpositioned on respective ones of two plates (8, 9) themselves carriedabove the base (2) by respective ones of two coupling arms (6, 7)extending perpendicularly to the base and to the plates, each couplingarm (6, 7) holding the respective plate (8, 9) at a spacing (E, E′)relative to the base (2), each of the two plates (8, 9) also beingmounted on its respective coupling arm (6, 7) in a manner suitable forbeing pivotable about the axis of said coupling arm relative to thefirst cushion (3) and to the base.
 10. An accessory according to claim1, characterized in that it further comprises adjustment means foradjusting the spacing (E, E′) between the base (2) and each of theplates (8, 9) for supporting the two side cushions (4, 5), and furtherwherein the adjustment means for adjusting the spacing (E, E′) comprisescrew means (10, 11, 12, 13) that are coaxial with the coupling arm (6,7) for coupling the plate to the base, the screw means simultaneouslyconstituting means for pivoting the plate relative to the first cushion(3) and to the base (2) about the axis of the coupling arm for couplingthe plate to the base, and/or the coupling arm (6, 7) for coupling theplate (8, 9) to the base (2) is a telescopic arm and in that theadjustment means for adjusting the spacing (E, E′) between the base andthe plate comprise snap-fastening or cottering means suitable forco-operating with orifices formed in the telescopic portions of thecoupling arm, and/or the adjustment means further comprise at least oneactuator that is preferably a pneumatic or an electric actuator and thatco-operates with suitable control and drive means.
 11. An accessoryaccording to any claim 1, characterized in that portions of the base (2)and of the plate(s) (8, 9) are provided with recesses suitable forenabling the cushions (3, 4, 5) to sink partially into the base and/orinto the plate(s) when the head of an individual is pressed on one ofsaid cushions.
 12. An accessory according to claim 1, characterized inthat the base (2) presents a length L lying in the range 500 mm to 900mm, and a width l lying in the range 140 mm to 200 mm.
 13. An accessoryaccording to claim 1, characterized in that each cushion (3, 4, 5) isremovable from the base (2) or from the plate (8, 9) on which it rests.